System and method for dynamic linking between graphic documents and comment data bases

ABSTRACT

A method for dynamic linking between graphic documents and comment databases is described and includes entering a base graphic representation of a project in a computer system. The base graphic representation may be the conversion of a user supplied format graphic to a web support format graphic. A coordinate overlay grid of a coordinate overlay program may be linked to the base graphic representation for overlay positioning and display on the base graphic representation. The coordinate overlay program may have a notation subprogram linked to the coordinate overlay grid for a user to designate notation with an identifier relative to a distinct location of the base graphic representation on the coordinate overlay grid. A text or graphic comment data record may be entered in a comment data record referenced to an identifier and displayed using a computer cursor device and display to activate an identifier.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claimis identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the presentapplication are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to methods for use in managing constructionprojects for building structures, civil and public works projects,constructing manufacturing facilities, and for building products, suchas, ships, land and air vehicles, and the like. The method may use aproject plan review system implemented on a computer system with aprogram that may allow linking or integration of text and graphicdocuments such as drawings. The new method may allow efficient reviewer,designer and owner collaboration through a world wide web system basedinteractive system that may only require use of a standard web browserby a user.

Current industry practice for review and comment documentation may be touse EXCEL spreadsheets and manual markup and scans of graphicdocumentation or electronic mark up programs that may requireinstallation of proprietary program software on a user's system. Thesesystems may require inefficient, manual correlation of reviewdocumentation records and the subject graphic documents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward methods for dynamic linkingbetween graphic documents and comment data bases. A base graphicrepresentation of a project may be entered in a computer system. Thebase graphic representation may be the conversion of a user suppliedformat graphic to a web support format graphic. A coordinate overlaygrid of a coordinate overlay program may be linked to the base graphicrepresentation for overlay positioning and display on the base graphicrepresentation when displayed on a computer display viewport. Thecoordinate overlay program may have a text or graphic notationsubprogram linked to the coordinate overlay grid for a user to designatenotation with an identifier relative to a distinct location of the basegraphic representation on the coordinate overlay grid. A text or graphiccomment data record may be entered in a comment data record referencedto an identifier. The text or graphic comment data record may beaccessed and displayed using a computer cursor device and display toactivate an identifier. Also a text or graphic comment data record of abase graphic representation may be accessed and displayed by a commentdata record database review related to a base graphic representation.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of a computer systemaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a plan review method according toan embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description represents the best currentlycontemplated modes for carrying out the invention. The description isnot to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purposeof illustrating the general principles of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a method for dynamic linking or connectingbetween graphic documents and comment databases using a computer system100 with program may involve storing and selective retrieval of basegraphic representations 10 that may be drawings of a project, forexample, a building structure, a civil or public works project,construction of a product, and the like that may require monitoring,modification and approval during implementation. The base graphicrepresentation 10 may be derived from converting a user supplied formatgraphic 12 to a web support format graphic 14, for example, convertingpdf, dwf and the like vector systems or tiff, bmp and the like rastersystems to swf, jpg and the like systems for Flash or like programnative file capability. Descriptive or contractual text material mayalso be entered in the computer system 100 after conversion to a desiredformat.

A coordinate overlay grid 16 of a coordinate overlay program 18 may belinked to the base graphic representation 10. The coordinate overlayprogram 18 may have a linked data storage structure 20 or data base foroverlay grid 16 position coordination and display of text records,graphics, identifiers, markup records and the like on the base graphicrepresentation 10. The coordinate overlay program 18 may have a notationsubprogram 22 linked or mapped to the coordinate overlay grid 16 toallow a user to identify a coordinate position on the coordinate overlaygrid 16 with an assigned symbol or flag and identification text, such asa number code, to serve as an identifier 24 to a location for commentdata records 26.

A text or graphic comment data record 26 may be entered in the datastorage structure 20. The comment data records 26 may be referenced tovarious appropriate identifiers 24. A text or graphic comment datarecord 26 may then be accessed and displayed by positioning a cursor ona desired coordinate position on the base graphic representation 10 withan identifier 24 located by the coordinate overlay grid 16. Theaccessing and displaying may be done by using a computer mouse 50 orother cursor control device for controlling a display cursor on adisplay 52 of a user computer 54.

The base graphic representation 10 that may be a web support formatgraphic 14 form may be stored in a base graphic database DG5. Relatedcreated graphic, text and attributes information may be stored in a basegraphic thumbnail image file database DG6 and a base graphic informationdatabase DG7 for user defined standard information such as name, number,date created version and the like. There may also be a user informationdatabase D11, project information database D12 and a client informationdatabase D13 having basic project information.

The user supplied format graphic 12 may be stored in a base graphicdatabase native format file DG3 and a base graphic thumbnail image filedatabase native format DG4.

The identifier 24 data may be stored in a symbol library database DG1for predetermined symbols in various colors and/or shapes. The text orgraphic comment data records 26 may be stored in an attached filedatabase DC1 for repository for text or graphic files appended toindividual comment records and in a markup snapshot database DG2 forrepository for partial view graphic files or snapshots of user definedportions of the basic graphic representation 10.

Several databases may be controlled by the coordinate overlay program 18for use in comments and markup such as procedural checklist database D14for quality of review process knowledge base, standard comments databaseD15 for a review efficiency and uniformity knowledge base and referencematerial database D16 for a code and design standards knowledge base.There may also be a standard template database D17 for import ofstandard forms for receiving snapshots for development of supplementaldocuments.

The system 100 software may have a database query program module P10 toselectively search and access the various databases and to returndatabase records pertinent to specific project activities. The system100 software may have a third party software link program module fordynamic user interface to third party software, such as, pdfmanipulation software, for example, ADOBE ACROBAT. There may be agraphic file access program module P11 to control storage and retrievalof graphic files from respective databases.

The system 100 software may also have a web conference program module P2for interface to project defined users with the interface automated foraccess, a web whiteboard program module P3 for common viewing and markupof graphic files, and a notification program module P4 for automaticemail notification to project specific users of hierarchy definedcomment updates. There may also be a user remote identification moduleW1 for electronic capture of server and user computer used for access onthe Internet.

There may be a thumbnail graphic image program module P5 associated withthe user supplied format graphic 12 and base graphic representation 10for control of the DG4 and DG6 databases. A graphic file conversionprogram module P8 may convert user supplied format graphic 12 to websupport format graphic 14 and for reconversion.

The system 100 software may have a document comparison program module P6for identification of differences between two graphic files and a filemanagement program P7 for control of storage and retrieval of text,graphic files and stand alone program files relative to and attached tocomment records. The system 100 software may also have peripheralsupport program modules for example, a printing program module P9.Printing subprograms and tools may allow individual or batch printing ofdatabase reports, graphic representations, base graphic representationwith related identifiers and graphic overlays, review records attachedand related files, documents and related graphics, and programadministrative reports. Printing may be to standard electronic fileformats directed to user printing hardware.

A graphic overlay representation 30 may be controlled by the coordinateoverlay program 18 to be positioned intermediate the base graphicrepresentation 10 and the coordinate overlay grid 16 on a display 52 orother device. The graphic overlay representation 30 may serve as anoverlay graphic representation positioned on the base graphicrepresentation 10 for recording markup graphics and text relative to thebase graphic representation 10. Multiple graphic overlay representationon one or more base graphic representations may be linked to a singlecomment record. Multiple graphic overlay representations 30 may be usedin a multilayer configuration. A drawing tools program module P1 may beused to control markup tools for the graphic overlay.

In use, the method and system may allow defining a graphic boundary boxin the graphic overlay representation 30 that may enclose a portion ofthe base graphic representation 10. Graphic notes may then be enteredthat may be related to the base graphic representation and indexed bythe coordinate overlay grid 16 by an identifier 24. Abbreviated text orgraphic records may also be entered in the coordinate overlay program 18linked data storage 20 for display on the coordinate overlay program 18linked data storage 20 for display on the coordinate overlay grid 16.Text and/or graphic comment data records 26 may be communicated fordisplay in a worldwide web format document for user comment datacorrection, for user comment additions or deletions, and for userapproval or completion annotation. Review comment entry, database queryand other program functions may be utilized independent of graphicinterlinks.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withrespect to the illustrated embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in formand details may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a computer processor; anon-transitory computer readable storage medium which storesprogrammatic instructions that, when executed by the computer processorcause the system to perform operations comprising: accessing a usersupplied graphic corresponding to a project and enabling a correspondinggraphic representation to be accessed as a web document; providing useraccess to a standard comments data store and enabling a comment to beaccessed from the standard comments data store; enabling a user toassociate a coordinate position with a graphic boundary box thatencloses a portion of the graphic representation; recording in computerreadable memory at least a graphic comment data record; linking a samegraphic comment data record to a plurality of graphic overlayrepresentations; enabling the user to: make a comment correction, add acomment, and delete a comment; enabling a graphic thumbnail to berendered; selectively searching and accessing a plurality of databaserecords and return database records; enabling a plurality of users tocollaborate, view, and markup the graphic representation via respectiveinterfaces; providing a function configured to enable differencesbetween a first graphic file and a second graphic file to be identified;and communicating text and/or graphic comment data records for displayin a worldwide web format, wherein the programmatic instructions whenexecuted by the computer processor cause the system to transmitautomatic update notifications to specific users and cause the system toimport forms and enable the user to add a symbol to a coordinateposition associated with the graphic representation.
 2. The system asdefined in claim 1, wherein the system comprises a knowledge data storeconfigured to be utilized in providing comments with respect to agraphic document.
 3. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein thesystem is configured with thumbnail graphic image software configured toutilize a graphic thumbnail image file data store.
 4. The system asdefined in claim 1, wherein the system comprises a software link programmodule that interfaces with third party document manipulation software.5. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the programmaticinstructions when executed by the computer processor cause the system toto link a coordinate overlay grid to the graphic representation.
 6. Thesystem as defined in claim 1, wherein the programmatic instructions whenexecuted by the computer processor cause the system to enable anapproval and/or completion annotation to be added to a graphic document.7. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the programmaticinstructions when executed by the computer processor cause the system tostore snapshots of user defined portions of the graphic representation.8. A computer-implemented method, the method comprising: accessing auser supplied graphic corresponding to a project and enabling acorresponding graphic representation to be accessed as a web document;enabling a user to associate a coordinate position with a graphicboundary box that encloses a portion of the graphic representation;providing user access to a standard comments data store and enabling acomment to be accessed from the standard comments data store; recordingin computer readable memory at least a graphic comment data record;linking a same graphic comment data record to a plurality of graphicoverlay representations; enabling the user to: add a comment, and deletea comment; enabling a graphic thumbnail to be rendered; selectivelysearching and accessing a plurality of data records and returning datarecords; enabling a plurality of users to collaborate, view, and markupthe graphic representation via respective interfaces; providing afunction configured to enable differences between a first graphic fileand a second graphic file to be identified; communicating text and/orgraphic comment data records for display in a worldwide web format;transmitting automatic update notifications to specific users; importingforms; and enabling the user to add a symbol to a coordinate positionassociated with the graphic representation.
 9. The method as defined inclaim 8, the method further comprising storing a thumbnail graphic imageprogram configured to utilize a graphic thumbnail image file data store.10. The method as defined in claim 8, the method further comprisingproviding a software link that interfaces with third party documentmanipulation software.
 11. The method as defined in claim 8, the methodfurther comprising transmitting automatic update notifications tospecific users.
 12. The method as defined in claim 8, the method furthercomprising linking a coordinate overlay grid to the graphicrepresentation.
 13. The method as defined in claim 8, the method furthercomprising providing user access to a standard comments data store andenabling a comment to be accessed from the standard comments data store.14. The method as defined in claim 8, the method further comprisingstoring snapshots of user defined portions of the graphicrepresentation.
 15. A non-transitory computer readable storage mediumwhich stores programmatic instructions that, when executed by a computerprocessor cause the computer processor to perform operations comprising:access a user supplied graphic corresponding to a project and enable acorresponding graphic representation to be accessed as a web document;enable a user to associate a coordinate position with a graphic boundarybox that encloses a portion of the graphic representation; provide useraccess to a standard comments data store and enabling a comment to beaccessed from the standard comments data store; record in computereadable memory at least a graphic comment data record; link a samegraphic comment data record to a plurality of graphic overlayrepresentations; enable the user to: add a comment, delete a comment,and add an approval annotation; enable a graphic thumbnail to berendered; selectively search and access a plurality of database recordsand return data records; enable a plurality of users to collaborate,view, and markup the graphic representation via respective interfaces;provide a function configured to enable differences between a firstgraphic file and a second graphic file to be identified; communicatetext and/or graphic comment data records for display in a worldwide webformat; transmitting automatic update notifications to specific users;import forms; and enable the user to add a symbol to a coordinateposition associated with the graphic representation.
 16. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 15,the operations further comprising storing thumbnail graphic imagesoftware configured to utilize a graphic thumbnail image file datastore.
 17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium asdefined in claim 15, the operations further comprising providing asoftware link that interfaces with third party document manipulationsoftware.
 18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium asdefined in claim 15, the operations further comprising transmittingautomatic update notifications to specific users.
 19. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium as defined in claim 15, the operationsfurther comprising linking a coordinate overlay grid to the graphicrepresentation.
 20. The non-transitory computer readable storage mediumas defined in claim 15, the operations further comprising linking a samegraphic comment data record to a plurality of graphic overlayrepresentations.
 21. The non-transitory computer readable storage mediumas defined in claim 15, the operations further comprising storingsnapshots of user defined portions of the graphic representation.